ESMS - The Mary Erskine School

The Mary Erskine School is an independent, non-denominational day school for girls aged 11-18 in Edinburgh.  There are approximately 740 girls, of whom about 25 are boarders.  Admission is through assessment.  ESMS has a charitable foundation and provides financial assistance to over 150 bursary holders, who attend The Mary Erskine School or Stewart's Melville College.  The school is one of the oldest girls' schools in the UK, having been founded in 1694, and was voted The Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year in 2012.

The school enjoys an excellent academic reputation and prides itself on the range of musical, dramatic and other extra-curricular opportunities offered to its girls.  Girls have sung in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo choir, represented the UK in the European Youth Parliament on four occasions, performed in professional West End touring shows, gone on incredible trips to diverse locations including Malawi, Vietnam, New Zealand and China, and represented their school and country in sports including hockey, fencing, cricket and equestrianism.

The Mary Erskine School is part of the ESMS family of schools and is closely twinned with Stewart's Melville College through a shared House system and co-education in many activities, including trips, shows, concerts, orchestras, bands, numerous Outdoor Education projects and in the Combined Cadet Force.  The co-educational Sixth Form aims to offer a genuine pre-university experience.

Principal

Mr Anthony Simpson

Values and vision

The Mary Erskine School has nine core values that are recognised by all members of the school community: kindness, respect, commitment, enthusiasm, responsibility, grace, appreciation, confidence and integrity.

The school follows its own curriculum prior to examination years.  The Curriculum for Excellence is not followed.  Girls generally sit the public examinations prescribed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.  It is normal for girls to sit a combination of eight subjects at National 5 and to proceed to Higher courses in S5. The majority will return for a final year in Sixth Form, with a high proportion taking Advanced Highers.  ‘A’ Levels are offered in Art and in Music.

The Mary Erskine School aims to provide the opportunity for its students to find their voice, ignore stereotypes and to become confident young women. Students are encouraged to be ambitious, set very high standards for themselves and learn leadership skills, making them ready to take their place in society as strong leaders and role models for future generations of girls.

Education Scotland report

“There were very good links between the school and the Houses. The Principal, senior managers with responsibility for boarding and the Housemaster and Housemistress monitored pupils’ academic and personal progress closely.”

View the Mary Erskine School's latest Education Scotland report